A pedigree puppy stolen in a violent robbery was returned to its owner just hours before the thieves were sentenced for the crime.

Amos Wilsher and wife Caroline were due to be sentenced on Wednesday but the judge adjourned the hearing after an 11th-hour offer from the dock to return the missing chihuahua, worth £1,200.

The dog was then delivered to Wilsher's solicitor Paul Tubb, who handed the animal to the police for its safe return to the breeder from whom it was stolen.

On being told yesterday the healthy puppy was back with its owner, Judge Lynn Tayton QC jailed Wilsher for three years.

Leicester Crown Court was told Wilsher punched the middle-aged breeder four times in the face and ripped out a clump of her hair, as his wife ran off with the dog.

The couple, both 20, went to the breeder's home in Ellistown, Coalville, in response to a Kennel Club advert offering two chihuahua pups for sale.

Posing as prospective buyers, their visit suddenly turned nasty when Caroline Wilsher tried to leave while holding both puppies, said Alan Murphy, prosecuting.

"The complainant became uneasy and got up to try and get the dogs back," said Mr Murphy.

"Amos Wilsher grabbed one puppy and threw it on the floor, causing it to land with such a thud the owner thought it was dead. He pushed her away and grabbed her by her hair and punched her four times.

"She was shocked and realised both defendants had run off with the remaining puppy.

"She suffered facial bruising, swelling and had a bald patch on her head."

The woman still has pain in an eye and numbness in her gums, the court heard.

She was traumatised by the attack, and now feels on edge and has difficulty sleeping.

The puppy thrown onto the tiled floor survived.

Wilsher and his wife, both of Good Friday Caravan Park, Heath Road, Coalville, claimed they did not anticipate violence would have been used.

Wilsher pleaded guilty to robbery. His wife admitted theft of the dog, because she was not involved in the attack.

Caroline Wilsher was given a 36-week detention sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

The pair were identified from CCTV footage of them using a public phone box in Coalville, making the call arranging to meet the dog breeder.

Amos Wilsher further admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on the same date.

He also pleaded guilty to theft of eight temporary traffic light batteries, worth £73 each, on August 12 last year.

Sentencing, Judge Lynn Tayton said: "It's had a long term impact on the victim.

"I'm glad the dog is back."

Paul Tubb, mitigating for Amos Wilsher, said his client wanted the dog to pay off a drugs debt of £700 after receiving threats.

His life went out of control following the death of his aunt, who was more like a mother to him, said Mr Tubb.

"Returning the dog goes some way to suggest he wants to make amends," he said.

Steven Newcombe, for the wife, said his client was led into criminality after marrying Amos Wilsher 12 months ago.